Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Lydia Martin
America’s love affair with beer is as old as the nation itself. The US beer landscape is incredibly diverse, from the craft beer revolution to the classic light lagers.
From tailgate parties in the heartland to late-night conversations in smoky bars, we’ve had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the most popular beer in America that has captured the nation’s heart and taste buds.
Keep reading and be ready to dive headfirst.
Top 15 Popular Beers in America (2024 Edition)
1. Bud Light
Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Revenue (2022): $4.5B
Crafted by the Anheuser-Busch brand, Bud Light is a light lager known for its refreshing taste, low-calorie count, and fewer carbs.
America’s favorite beer: a taste that brings us together, one sip at a time.
– Liquor Laboratory
In 2020, Bud Light of Anheuser Busch InBev became the top-selling beer brand in the US due to its natural light taste.
After tasting it multiple times, I am still fond of the crisp, dry, and smooth profile of Bud Light. Also, Bud Light comes in cans, bottles, and draft kegs [1], so you have options.
But what type of beer is bud light?
2. Michelob Ultra
Average Price: approx. $17/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Number of Bottles Sold: 119,220,402 barrels (2021)
Michelob Ultra is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie alcoholic drink from Anheuser-Busch InBev, and if you’re health-conscious, it is a must-try.
According to USA Today, it is a top-selling beer, and the brand’s sales increased thanks to the Super Bowl 57 commercial.
Among the most popular beers, this alcoholic beverage is one of the healthiest beers you can find – undoubtedly one of the reasons why it is one of the top-selling beers in America.
3. Coors Light Beers
Average Price: approx. $15/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Revenue (2022): $2.9B
Coors Light from Molson Coors Brewing Company is another top-selling beer in the US that boasts a crisp and smooth taste.
Also known as “Silver Bullet,” Coors Light gives a refreshing flavor, and we suggest drinking Coors Light cold for a better experience.
Based on USA Today, Coors Light is a light beer with billion-dollar sales, and beer sales continuously rise every year to date basis.
Read: Recommended Beers For Those Who Don’t Like Beers
4. Miller Lite
Average Price: approx. $15/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Revenue (2022): $2.9B
Miller Lite, an American light beer from the parent company MillerCoors (Miller brewing company), is known for its smooth and creamy taste.
It is a top-selling beer (billion-dollar sales) because it has fewer calories than some of the most popular beers like Corona Extra, Stella Artois,
Aside from Miller Genuine Draft, it has been our go-to beer instead of Mexican lager from Constellation Brands with heavy and filling character.
Also, there are excellent variations – you can opt for Miller Lite beer cans or Miller High Life beer bottles.
5. Anheuser-Busch
Average Price: approx. $12/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.1% ABV
Revenue (2022): $57.786B
Another light beer from Anheuser-Busch is Busch Light, which we like due to its fewer calories with a refreshing taste.
Among the light beers from the brand, Busch Light is close to Bud Light. Busch Light and Bud Light have light and subtle sweetness, perfect for hot summer days.
6. Natural Light Beer
Average Price: approx. $15/18-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Number of Bottles Sold: 81,313,091 barrels (2021)
Also known as Natty Light, this light beer from the parent company Anheuser Busch has a natural light flavor comparable to Busch Light, Miller Lite, Corona Extra, and Coors Light (from Molson Coors brewing company).
We like the unique notes on this beer – bready, grainy, dry, and light. It is one of the most popular beer brands with a medium body and right alcohol concentration.
7. Bud Specialty
Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Revenue (2022): $5.6B
Bud Specialty beer brand is another top-selling beer from Anheuser Busch InBev.
In 2020, Budweiser’s sales (off-premise consumption) reached about $717.8 million.
Its smooth taste and crisp profile make it an official Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association beer.
So, how tall is your Budweiser bottle?
8. Yuengling
Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
Revenue (2022): $162.8M
Yuengling is one of the most famous beers in America, crafting delicious craft beer [2]. In fact, Yuengling is one of the oldest in the beer industry – its parent company began operating in 1829.
Actually, Yuengling Traditional Lager is our first beer in this brand. We like the malty and bready notes, along with its dry character.
We prefer Yuengling over Blue Moon or Pabst Blue Ribbon (from the Pabst Brewing Company) regarding flavor balance and character.
9. Samuel Adams
Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Revenue (2022): $447M
This Boston lager is flavor-forward and full-bodied. So, if you want some complexity, Samuel Adams is a great craft beer choice.
“If you’re looking for beer, what beer might come to mind first, or what pops out to you on the shelf in the store? It’s the one that shares a name with the topic that you’re hearing most about.”
– Dawn Lerman, Marketing Professor & Executive Director at Fordham University
Sam Adams is one of the top-selling beers in America for its full and refreshing taste.
The ABV is a little higher than the standard, giving the booze – perfect for drinkers looking to deviate from the usual lighter version.
10. Great Lakes
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 6.5% ABV
Revenue (2022): $648.8M
Great Lakes, from the parent company Great Lakes Brewing Company, is well-known for its hoppy character.
We like how this beer is easy to drink with a mild aroma. It tastes malty but not too sweet with spice, fruitcake, grain, and cereal.
Overall, Great Lakes beer is an excellent beverage that’ll leave you craving more. It is our best alternative if we run out of Michelob Ultra.
11. Guinness
Average Price: approx. $10/4-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Revenue (2022): $8.7M
The original Guinness Draught Stout is made with nitrogen. This beer looks heavy and dark. However, it tastes incredibly smooth and flavorful, with chocolate, caramel, coffee, and roasted barley notes.
Guinness beer has been around for a long time and is one of the best-tasting we’ve tried so far.
Besides, we like that this drink only has 126 calories – fewer than a typical light-lager beer.
12. Corona
Average Price: approx. $20-$24/12- to 18-pack
Alcohol Content: around 4% ABV
Revenue (2022): $7B
Modelo’s Corona beer is a refreshing Mexican lager often paired with lime wedges. Despite being Mexican style, it’s a best-selling beer in the US – available at most grocery stores.
This pilsner-style beer is one of the competitive beer brands in the beer industry.
Compared to other beers, Corona Light and Extra have low-calorie counts (99 kcal and 149 kcal, respectively).
13. Heineken
Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Revenue (2022): $6.9B
Although it’s sometimes called a skunky-smelling brew, this is still one of the most popular lager beers worldwide.
This beer has a crisp and refreshing bite with a distinct aroma, which we’ve never encountered in other beers.
What’s fun about Heineken is its hop profile tricks drinkers into believing it’s a green beer.
14. Lagunitas
Average Price: approx. $12/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 6.2% ABV
Revenue (2022): $75M
From the parent company Heineken International, Lagunitas is a trend for high-alcoholic beer drinkers, with 6.2% ABV.
This Indian Pale Ale (IPA) [3] has bitter and citrus notes alongside hints of floral and hops.
One of the reasons Lagunitas is popular in the US is its highly balanced and drinkable profile.
We find the hops almost similar to
15. White Claw
Average Price: approx. $21/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Number of Bottles Sold: 29.1 million cases (2019)
White Claw Hard Seltzer, from the parent company Mark Anthony Group, blends water, gluten-free alcohol, and fruit.
What’s more interesting about this beer brand is its four refreshing White Claw flavors: Ruby Grapefruit, Black Cherry, Raspberry, and Natural Lime.
Besides, each pack contains around 100 calories and 2g of sugar, which is lower than most beers like Anheuser Busch Ice Pale Lager (171 kcal) and Pabst Blue Ribbon (110 kcal). But what alcohol is in White Claw?
** Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary per store.
FAQs Related to Most Popular Beer in America
What is the most popular beer in America?
As of recent data, the most popular beer in America is Bud Light, produced by Anheuser-Busch InBev. It consistently ranks as the top-selling beer brand in the United States.
Why is Bud Light the most popular beer in America?
Bud Light’s popularity can be attributed to its widespread availability, extensive marketing campaigns, and long-standing brand recognition. Its light and refreshing taste also appeal to a broad range of beer drinkers.
Are there any other beers that compete with Bud Light for the title of most popular in America?
While Bud Light holds the top spot, other beer brands such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Budweiser also maintain significant market share and compete closely for the title of most popular beer in America.
What factors contribute to the popularity of certain beer brands in the United States?
Factors influencing the popularity of beer brands in America include taste preferences, marketing strategies, pricing, brand loyalty, regional preferences, and cultural influences.
Do craft beers compete with mainstream beers for popularity in America?
Yes, craft beers have gained significant traction in the American beer market in recent years. While they may not reach the same sales volume as mainstream beers like Bud Light, craft beers have a dedicated following and offer diverse flavors and styles.
Is there a difference between the most popular beer in America and the best-selling beer?
The most popular beer in America refers to the beer brand with the highest consumer preference or market share, while the best-selling beer refers to the beer brand with the highest sales volume. Often, these terms may refer to the same beer brand, such as Bud Light.
Final Say
The beer industry offers various styles and flavors – from a light lager (or light beer) to traditional to heavily alcoholic ones.
Despite the recent shift toward small-batch and craft breweries, a few companies still dominate America’s top-selling beer brands, including the bottles on this list.
Bud Light is the most-sold and popular beer in the US, boasting a refreshing and light taste. With its unmistakable blue label and iconic branding, this beer has high retail beer sales in the US and has become synonymous with American beer culture.
References:
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https://home.howstuffworks.com/beer-keg.htm
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429221006209#
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https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/648994/ipa-beers-facts
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/louisbiscotti/2023/01/19/craft-beer-boom-slows-but-still-grows/?sh=343bd32a5e3e
